-
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
The Austrian archduke, Franz Ferdinand, is shot by Serbian terrorists, sparking several powers' involvment in the war. Without this event of Serbian nationalism, the war may never have happened. -
The Great War Begins
Alliances brought into play by the archduke's assassination spark war, with Russia, France, and Britain against Germany and Austria-Hungary. -
Period: to
The Great War
-
Schlieffen Plan Implemented
This plan was created by General Count Alfred von Schlieffen in December 1905. It outlined the plan for a specific attack on France if and when Russia mobilized its forces near the German border. This event is important because it resulted in Britain declaring war on Germany on August 4th, 1914. -
First Battle of the Marne
An attack of the Germans by the Allied powers northeast of Paris in the valley of the Marne River. Reinforcements were carried in by Parisian taxicabs until German generals had the troops retreat. This battle was important because at one point near the end, the Germans began retreating, a tactic that had been rarely seen previously during the war, as a British officer later wrote "It was an inspiring thought that the time had now ocme to chase the German." -
Battle of Limanowa
Lasting almost two weeks, this battle between Russia and Austria-Hungary in southern Poland resulted in Russia being driven basck to the East by Austria-Hungary(with German assistance), This battle was important because it marked an event that was one of the last before Russia's war effort weakened. -
Gallipoli Campaign
The effort to conquer a region in the Ottoman Empire known as the Dardanelles, beginning in 1915, was a series of battles between the attacking British, Australian, New Zealand, and French troops and the Turkish and German troops defending the territory. This battle was important because it marks an attempt to take over the Ottoman Empire, of which there were several during the war. -
Battle of Verdun
This battle was a massive German attack on the French near Verdun in northeastern France. This was important because it marked the peak of the bloodiness of the Western Front, as each side in the battle lost more than 300,000 soldiers. -
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was an effort by the British to relieve the pressure on French forces by attacking the Germans in the valley of the Somme River. Each side suffered more than half a million casualties. This battle was important because of its example of extreme brutality in the war for little consequence, as each side gained no more than about five miles toward their goal. -
Germans regain use of unrestricted submarine warfare
On this day, Germany reintroduced its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare which had previously been lifted due to pressure from other countries. This implementation was important because it was one of the main reasons for the UNited States entering the war. -
The United States Enters The War
On this day, the Untied States formally entered the war when a vote passed the motion through Congress and the House of Responsibilites because of German damage to US naval entities, as well as those of their enemies.This event was important because American entrance into the war supported the then-low on supplies Allied Powers. -
Russia's Bolshevik Revolution
Those in Russia who supported a more liberal set of rights for everyone in the country overthrew the government on this day. This event is important not only because of the overhaul of Russian government that happened, but also because it removed Russia from the war. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
This treaty, which was signed between Russia and the Central Powers, was not only important because it officially removed Russia from the war, but also because it ensured the independence of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania. -
Second Battle Of The Marne
The second battle of the Marne, fought, as you may expect, in the Marne valley, was important because it was Germany's last major battle of the war. -
Armistice of Compiègne
This agreement signed between Germany and the Allied powers was important because it ended the fighting in Western Europe during the war. -
Treaty of Versailles signed
This peace treaty, signed between Germany and the Allies in the palace of Versailles in Paris, was one of several to officially end the war.